Method and apparatus for two-wheeler safety based on vehicular communications

ABSTRACT

Devices for alerting visually a vehicle at an intersection when a specific two-wheeler is detected in an alert zone associated with the intersection using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, and methods for configuring and using such devices. The devices include a display for displaying the visual alert and a communication and processing unit for processing V2X messages received from two-wheelers and for determining the need for and type of visual alert. The devices may be configured remotely using an application running on an installer&#39;s mobile device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 63/075,158 filed on Sep. 6, 2020, which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to two-wheeler safetysystems based on vehicular communications, and in particular to dynamicsigns at an intersection alerting when a two-wheeler (e.g. a bicycle,motorcycle, scooter, moped, etc.) approaches the intersection.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications can prevent accidents inintersections by alerting a driver of a vehicle when another vehicle (ormore generally a “road-user”, including two-wheelers and pedestrians)enters its driving path. Some road-users may burst into an intersectionwhile not having right-of-way, and V2X may assist a lawful driver tomitigate that potential risk.

The main challenge of V2X is the limited value in the early market. Toprevent an accident, both vehicles involved in the risky situation needto have V2X units (or “devices”), which is unlikely given the lowpenetration rate of V2X in the early market. A “smart intersection” wasdeveloped to solve this low penetration rate. Smart intersection devices(e.g. cameras) are placed at few selected large intersections, and theroad-users detected by those cameras, mostly vehicles and nottwo-wheelers, are broadcast, so vehicles with V2X devices are aware ofall road-users even if the road-users do not have V2X devices. However,such smart intersection devices are expensive, and they provideinformation only to vehicles with V2X devices. In addition, camerassuffer from limited ability to detect an object at night and lowreliability in detecting vulnerable road-users such as two-wheelerusers. Moreover, cameras struggle to detect two-wheelers obstructed bycars or even by trees, as common in bike lanes.

Two-wheeler usage in cities is growing, and with there is a growth inaccidents involving two-wheelers. eScooter riders are the most prone toaccidents, since eScooter stability is lower because of the smallwheels. The vast majority of two-wheeler accidents happen atintersections.

There is therefore a need for, and it would be advantageous to have,devices with a visual display that can alert visually all drivers, even(and especially) those without V2X devices, about two-wheelersapproaching an intersection.

SUMMARY

The disclosure next relates to a smart intersection capable of reliablyprotecting two-wheelers, to devices in such a smart intersection and tomethods of using/operating such devices. The suggested smartintersection, devices and methods reflect a concept that alerts allvehicles (and their drivers), even those without V2X devices. Drivers ofvehicles without V2X devices can receive a visual alert on a outdoordisplay, warning of a two-wheeler. Drivers of vehicles with V2X devicescan receive in addition an alert displayed inside their vehicle. The newconcept lowers dramatically the cost of a smart intersectioninstallation for widening the protection of two-wheelers from accidents.

In various embodiments there is disclosed a device, comprising: adisplay for alerting visually a vehicle at an intersection when aspecific two-wheeler is detected in an alert zone associated with theintersection using V2X communications. The alert zone is substantiallyperpendicular to a road on which the vehicle drives, substantiallyparallel to the road driven, or both.

The specific two-wheeler may be detected based on a V2X message receivedat the device from the specific two-wheeler, and the received V2Xmessage is processed by the device. The device may further comprise acommunication and processing unit configured to perform the detectionand processing, and powering means to power the display and thecommunication and processing unit.

In some embodiments, the display may be in the form of a traffic lightwith an added template of a shape of a two-wheeler included or attachedthereto. In some embodiments, the display is a dynamic display. Adynamic display may include a direction element that indicates adirection of movement of the two-wheeler. The direction element may forexample be an arrow. More than one direction element may be included ina dynamic display. A dynamic display may be switched on and off, orflash intermittently.

In various embodiments, the device may be configured using anapplication running on an installer's mobile device.

In various embodiments there is disclosed a method, comprising:physically installing a device configured to visually alert a vehicle atan intersection; by the device and using V2X communications, detecting aspecific two-wheeler in an alert zone associated with the intersection;and visually alerting the vehicle about the specific two-wheeler. Thedevice may be configured after the physical installation using anapplication running on an installer's mobile device. Alternatively, thedevice may be pre-configured.

In some embodiments, the detecting includes, by the specifictwo-wheeler, sending a V2X message to the device and, by the device,processing data from the V2X message. In some embodiments, the V2Xmessage reports a location and speed of the specific two-wheeler, andthe processing includes checking if the speed is greater than athreshold, and if yes, checking if the specific two-wheeler in inside analert zone. In some embodiments, if the specific two-wheeler is insidean alert zone, the processing further includes checking if the specifictwo-wheeler will arrive in less than a predetermined time period at theintersection. If yes, the processing further includes checking if astate related to the data is consistent and if yes, the method furtherincludes setting a visual alert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting examples of embodiments disclosed herein are describedbelow with reference to figures attached hereto that are listedfollowing this paragraph. The drawings and descriptions are meant toilluminate and clarify embodiments disclosed herein, and should not beconsidered limiting in any way. Like elements in different drawings maybe indicated by like numerals. Elements in the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates a 4-way stop intersection with V2Signs;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary alert zone;

FIG. 3 illustrates in a flow chart an exemplary method of V2Signoperation;

FIG. 4 illustrates in a block diagram an exemplary embodiment of aV2Sign;

FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of a V2Sign display with a steadylight;

FIG. 5B illustrates an embodiment of a V2Sign display with a flashinglight;

FIG. 5C illustrates an embodiment of a V2Sign display with symbolindicating direction of a two-wheeler;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart for configuring a V2Sign.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Within the concept of a smart intersection capable of reliablyprotecting two-wheelers, there is disclosed herein a two-wheelervehicular communication safety sign, named exemplarily “V2Sign”. AV2Sign can be placed adjacent to or on existing road-sign poles insignalized and non-signalized intersections. The V2Sign is observed bydrivers of vehicles approaching an intersection, visually alerting whenV2X-connected two-wheelers are about to enter an intersection. TheV2Sign is powered by powering means, e.g. a power source such as a powergrid or a solar panel. Its initial configuration may be simple enough tobe performed by a non-technologically savvy installer, using for examplea simple smartphone application.

A V2Sign may fit any intersection geometry, with any number ofconnecting roads, even a roundabout. FIG. 1 illustrates a 4-way stopintersection 100 with four V2Signs 102 a-d, one per incoming road. Theintersection may include crosswalks, for example four crosswalks 112a-d. V2Sign 102 a visually alerts a driver in a vehicle with or withoutV2X that arrives at the intersection from road segment 104. Similarly,V2Signs 102 b, 102 c and 102 d alert drivers arriving from road segments106, 108 and 110 respectively.

The V2Sign provides a visual alert to vehicles driving toward theintersection when two-wheelers approach the intersection while locatedin “alert zones” described below, for example two-wheelers 116 and 118arriving from the right or left of a V2Sign such as 102 a on,respectively, road segments 106 and 110. The two-wheelers have V2X unitscommunicating through direct communication standards, either DSRC orC-V2X. The two-wheeler V2X unit broadcasts its location (obtained from aGNSS receiver and/or inertial sensors) over-the-air, and the V2Signprocesses the received messages from all two-wheelers to detect if anyof the two-wheelers approaches the intersection from an alert zone.V2Sign 102 a is observable by vehicles arriving to the intersection, forexample by a vehicle 114 arriving on road segment 104. From the point ofview of V2Sign 102 a, road segment 106 is to the right of road segment104 and road segment 110 is to the left of road segment 104. Optionally,an alert can be extended to two-wheelers arriving on road segments 104and 108.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary alert zone. An alert zone is defined asa polygon (e.g. a rectangle) inside which movement of a two-wheeler isdetected and will trigger an alert. The definition of alert zones isunique for each V2Sign. The alert zones are configured (in terms ofshape/size/location) according to the shape of roads and bike lanes inintersection, intersection lanes routing, and location of a V2Sign inthe intersection. The polygon shape matches the entire road, includingthe curb. An exemplary length of the polygon, from an entrace (startingpoint) to the intersection, may be 30 meters. More generally, anexemplary range of lengths may 20-40 meters. A more obstructedenvironment (by buildings, trees, etc.) may require a longer alert zone.An environment with perfect visibility may require a shorter alert zone.The alert zone width depends on the width of the road. An exemplarywidth may vary for example from 3 meters in a narrow ally to 20 metersin a major road with wide curbs.

In FIG. 2, two alert zones are provided with reference to V2Sign 102 b.A first alert zone 202 covers the road perpendicular to the vehiclesobserving sign 102 b (i.e. road segments 104, 108 and/or theintersection itself) and therefore can be referred to as a“perpendicular alert zone” for V2Sign 102 b. Any two-wheeler riding inthis zone toward the intersection will alert sign 102 b if certainconditions are met. Zone 202 also covers crosswalk 112 a and a bikelane, if existing. A second alert zone 204 is parallel to the vehiclesapproaching the intersection (i.e. parallel to road segments 106 and110), mostly to alert two-wheelers in crosswalk 112 a. Alert zone 204can be referred to as a “parallel alert zone” for V2Sign 102 a.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of V2Sign operation, performed at theV2Sign. Operation begins in step 300 after a message is received from atwo-wheeler (which is referred to next as a “specific” two-wheeler). Themessage reports location and speed of the two-wheeler. In step 302, acheck is made if the specific two-wheeler's speed is greater than athreshold. Exemplary thresholds may be 10 km/h or 15 km/h. If No, theoperation continues from step 312, where an alert received previouslyfrom the specific two-wheeler is cleared (if such an alert was set).That is, if an alert was previously set because of the specifictwo-wheeler, then that alert is cleared. If the alert from the specifictwo-wheeler was not set (triggered) previously, then no change isneeded. Alerts set by other two-wheelers continue to be set. If Yes instep 302, the operation continues from step 304, which checks if thetwo-wheeler is inside an alert zone, for example, zone 202 or 204. If Noin step 304, the operation continues from step 312. If Yes in step 304,the operation continues from step 306, which checks if the two-wheelerwill arrive in a predetermined time period (e.g. less than X seconds) atthe intersection. The value of X may be for example 3 seconds. If No instep 306, the operation continues from step 312. If Yes in step 306, theoperation continues from step 308, which checks if a state isconsistent, i.e. it an event associated with speed and location asreported in a previous message from the two-wheeler. If No in step 308(i.e. the state is inconsistent), the operation continues from step 312.If Yes in step 308, the operation continues from step 310, which sets analert for the specific two-wheeler. From both steps 310 and 312, theoperation continues to step 314, where the operation ends.

FIG. 4 illustrates schematically in a block diagram components of aV2Sign exemplarily numbered 400. V2Sign 400 may comprise a display unit(or simply “display”) 402 and a communication and processing unit 404.Optionally and as a powering means, a V2Sign may also comprise a solarpanel 406. Each component may be located in a separate enclosure (box),although display unit 402 may be integrated with communication andprocessing unit 404 in a single enclosure. Communication and processingunit 404 may include a vehicular communication device 408, operative tocommunicate with vehicles and road-users (including two-wheelers), anoptional GNSS receiver 410, and a processor 412. The GNSS is optionalsince the location of V2Sign may be configured at installation. However,adding the GNSS enables unit self-test such as detecting unexpectedmovement of the V2Sign (either accidental, i.e. if an operator moved thesign, or intentional, for example if someone stole the sign), whichshould stop operation until reinstallation is performed. An additionalpotential use of GNSS is to create positioning corrections for allowingthe connected two-wheelers to improve their positioning. One or moreadditional communication devices 414, supporting protocols such asBluetooth, WiFi, or cellular, can be added for configuration and formonitoring. One or more antennas 416 may be embedded inside thecommunication and processing unit or located externally for serving theV2X, GNSS and other protocols, if exist.

Display unit 402 may be dynamic and may be provided in variousembodiments. The dynamic display may take many different shapes andforms, and may be adapted to match signs used per country. For example,it may use a standard traffic light with an added template of a shape ofa two-wheeler included or attached thereto. The shape can be of aregular bicycle, an electric bicycle, or a scooter, chosen for exampleby the local authorities. The light can operate by being continuously ONonce a two-wheeler is approaching, or it can operate intermittently(i.e. flash) once the two-wheeler is approaching.

FIG. 5A shows an exemplary embodiment of a V2Sign display (screen)marked 402′. Display 402′ is “dynamic” in the sense that includes asteady light element 500 that can be turned ON and OFF and which is litwhenever a two-wheeler triggers an alert. The display shows a trafficsign, which may differ per country. For example, some countries use ayellow sign, while others use a white sign with a red outline.

FIG. 5B shows another exemplary embodiment of a dynamic V2Sign displaymarked 402″. Display 402″ uses a different light element (502) thatflashes when a two-wheeler triggers an alert.

FIG. 5C shows an exemplary embodiment of a V2Sign display marked 402′″,which includes direction elements (e.g. arrows or other symbolicrepresentation of direction) that indicate symbolically the direction oftravel of a two-wheeler. Display unit 402′″ includes a main element 504,i.e. a screen that can be configured to show different shapes, symbols,etc., and direction elements 506 a and 506 b. For example, main element504 may be a LED matrix. Direction elements 506 a and 506 b show thedirection from which the two-wheeler approaches the intersection (i.e.its direction of travel), which could be left, right, or even behind.The symbolic representation of a direction element that means “behind”may be a dedicated icon (not shown). The direction element may be staticor flashing. Multiple direction elements may exist to represent multipletwo-wheelers, and more that one direction element may be operational ifmore than one two-wheeler is endangered near an intersection. Forexample, when two different two-wheelers approach the intersection atthe same time on two roads within alert zones of a given V2Sign (i.e.one in the perpendicular zone and one in the parallel zone), both arrows(506 a and 506 b) may lit up, flash, etc.

Each V2Sign needs to be configured before becoming operational, usingfor example a dedicated installation application. When a V2Sign isinstalled, it can be visible to multiple roads. The installation andconfiguration determine the orientation of the V2Sign in theintersection. The role of an installer is critical to determine whichroads observe it, and consequently the alert zone for two-wheelers.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart for configuring V2Sign. A V2Sign is notoperational until the configuration is completed. The configuration istypically performed in the field after a V2Sign is physically installed,although pre-installation configuration is feasible as well. A dedicatedinstallation application may typically run on an installer's mobileelectronic device such as a smartphone or tablet. The V2Sign receivesconfiguration parameters from the installer's mobile electronic device.The connectivity between the installer equipment and V2Sign may bewireless, for example using Bluetooth or similar, or wired.

In step 600, the V2Sign is powered-on for the first time after itsphysical installation but before configuration. In step 602, the V2Signwaits for the installation (for configuration) application. In step 604,the installation application shows the estimated location of the V2Signon an area map on the installer's mobile device. The installer may haveto validate the estimated location and can adjust the physical locationof the sign on the map if the is location mistaken. In step 606, theinstallation application displays to the installer suggested alert zoneson the map on the mobile device. The perpendicular and parallel alertzones (for example zones 202 and 204 for V2Sign 102 a) are displayed onthe mobile device perpendicular to the road in which the drivers areobserving the sign (i.e. road segment 104). The installer may have tovalidate the correctness of the suggested alert zones. This may beneeded because the application applies logic to select only the roadsthat are relevant to the driver observing the sign, but any logic can bemistaken. The installer may adjust and fix the alert zones on the map.After finishing this step, V2Sign is now configured and ready for work.

While this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodimentsand generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of theembodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specificembodiments described herein, but only by the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a display for alertingvisually a vehicle at an intersection when a specific two-wheeler isdetected in an alert zone associated with the intersection usingvehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the specific two-wheeler is detected based on a V2X messagereceived at the device from the specific two-wheeler, and wherein thereceived V2X message is processed by the device.
 3. The device of claim2, further comprising a communication and processing unit configured toperform the detection and processing.
 4. The device of claim 3, furthercomprising powering means to power the display and the communication andprocessing unit.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the display is in theform of a traffic light with an added template of a shape of atwo-wheeler included or attached thereto.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein the display is a dynamic display.
 7. The device of claim 1,wherein the display includes a direction element that indicates adirection of movement of the two-wheeler.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the device is configured using an application running on aninstaller's mobile device.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the alertzone is substantially perpendicular to a road on which the vehicledrives.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the alert zone issubstantially parallel to a road on which the vehicle drives.
 11. Thedevice of claim 6, wherein the dynamic display may be switched on andoff.
 12. The device of claim 6, wherein the dynamic display may flashintermittently.
 13. The device of claim 7, wherein the direction elementincludes an arrow.
 14. A method, comprising: physically installing adevice configured to visually alert a vehicle at an intersection; by thedevice and using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, detecting aspecific two-wheeler in an alert zone associated with the intersection;and visually alerting the vehicle about the specific two-wheeler. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein the detecting includes, by the specifictwo-wheeler, sending a V2X message to the device and, by the device,processing the V2X message.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein thedevice is configured after the physical installation using anapplication running on an installer's mobile device.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the V2X message reports a location and speed of thespecific two-wheeler, and wherein the processing includes checking ifthe speed is greater than a threshold, and if yes, checking if thespecific two-wheeler in inside an alert zone.
 18. The method of claim17, wherein, if the specific two-wheeler is inside the alert zone, theprocessing further includes checking if the specific two-wheeler willarrive in less than a predetermined time period at the intersection. 19.The method of claim 18, wherein if the specific two-wheeler will arrivein less than a predetermined time period at the intersection, theprocessing further includes checking is a state is consistent and ifyes, setting a visual alert for the visual alerting.